U.S. patent application number 13/961519 was filed with the patent office on 2013-12-05 for network of fully automatic self-service key duplicating kiosk.
This patent application is currently assigned to Minute Key Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Minute Key Inc.. Invention is credited to Daniel Freeman.
Application Number | 20130325161 13/961519 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45065083 |
Filed Date | 2013-12-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130325161 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Freeman; Daniel |
December 5, 2013 |
Network Of Fully Automatic Self-Service Key Duplicating Kiosk
Abstract
A network of self-service, fully-automatic kiosks for
duplicating keys includes a multiplicity of kiosks at different
locations. Each kiosk includes a customer interface, a
key-receiving entry, a key analysis system, and a key duplicating
system. An original key is analyzed and duplicated to form a first
key copy by analyzing a tooth pattern on a blade of the original
key and replicating the tooth pattern on a blade of a first key
blank. The network also includes a remote central server that is
coupled to the kiosks for receiving information from the kiosks and
for sending information to the kiosks. The remote central server
maintains recorded information for replicating the tooth pattern of
the blade of the original key on a blade of a second key blank to
form a second key copy.
Inventors: |
Freeman; Daniel; (Calabasas,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Minute Key Inc. |
San Rafael |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Minute Key Inc.
San Rafael
CA
|
Family ID: |
45065083 |
Appl. No.: |
13/961519 |
Filed: |
August 7, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13743053 |
Jan 16, 2013 |
8532809 |
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13961519 |
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13155994 |
Jun 8, 2011 |
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13743053 |
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13153065 |
Jun 3, 2011 |
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13155994 |
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61351046 |
Jun 3, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
700/159 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G05B 15/02 20130101;
Y10T 409/301624 20150115; G06Q 20/18 20130101; Y10T 409/300952
20150115; G07F 17/26 20130101; B23C 3/35 20130101; Y10T 409/301064
20150115; G07F 11/70 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
700/159 |
International
Class: |
G05B 15/02 20060101
G05B015/02 |
Claims
1-12. (canceled)
13. A network of self-service, fully-automatic kiosks for
duplicating keys, the network comprising: a multiplicity of the
kiosks at different locations, each of the individual kiosks
including a customer interface for conducting a key copying
transaction, a key-receiving entry for receiving at least a portion
of an original key to be duplicated, the original key having a
tooth pattern on a blade of the original key, a key analysis system
for analyzing the blade of the original key, and a key duplicating
system within the kiosk for replicating the tooth pattern of the
blade of the original key on a blade of a first key blank to form a
first key copy; and a remote central server coupled to the kiosks
for receiving information from and sending information to the
kiosks, the remote central server maintaining recorded information
for replicating the tooth pattern of the blade of the original key
on a blade of a second key blank to form a second key copy.
14. The network of self-service, fully-automatic kiosks of claim
13, further comprising a processor within each of the kiosks, the
processor being coupled to at least one of the customer interface,
the key analysis system, and the key duplicating system, the
processor being programmed to transmit the recorded information to
the remote central server.
15. The network of self-service, fully-automatic kiosks of claim
13, wherein the second key copy is formed without repeating the
receiving of the original key into the key-receiving entry.
16. The network of self-service, fully-automatic kiosks of claim
13, wherein the recorded information includes keyway and key
profile information for the original key.
17. The network of self-service, fully-automatic kiosks of claim
13, wherein the remote central server receives a customer request
for mailing the second key copy.
18. The network of self-service, fully-automatic kiosks of claim
17, wherein the customer request for the second key copy is
received after the customer has completed the key copying
transaction.
19. A method of duplicating keys in a network of self-service,
fully-automatic kiosks at different locations, each kiosk having a
customer interface for conducting a key copying transaction, and a
remote central server coupled to the kiosks for receiving
information from and sending information to the kiosks, the method
comprising: receiving at least a portion of an original key to be
duplicated in a key-receiving entry in one kiosks of the
fully-automatic kiosks, the original key having a blade with a
tooth pattern; analyzing the blade of the original key inserted in
the key-receiving entry and determining a key profile and a keyway;
in response to the receiving and analyzing of the original key,
replicating the tooth pattern of the original key on a blade of a
first key blank to form a first key copy; and maintaining recorded
information on the remote central server for replicating the tooth
pattern of the blade of the original key on a blade of a second key
blank to form a second key copy.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising transmitting, via a
processor within a respective kiosk, the recorded information to
the remote central server.
21. The method of claim 19, further comprising forming the second
key copy without repeating the receiving or the analyzing of the
original key.
22. The method of claim 19, wherein the recorded information
includes the key profile and the keyway information of the original
key.
23. The method of claim 19, further comprising receiving a customer
request for mailing the second key copy.
24. The method of claim 23, further comprising receiving the
customer request for the second key copy after the customer has
completed the key copying transaction.
25. A network of self-service, fully-automatic kiosks for
duplicating keys, the network comprising: a multiplicity of the
kiosks at different locations, each of the individual kiosks
including a customer interface for conducting a key copying
transaction, a key-receiving entry for receiving at least a portion
of an original key to be duplicated, the original key having a
tooth pattern on a blade of the original key, a key analysis system
for analyzing the blade of the original key, and a key duplicating
system within the kiosk for replicating the tooth pattern of blades
of original keys on a blade of a key blank to form a key copy; and
a remote central server coupled to the kiosks for receiving
information from and sending information to the kiosks, the remote
central server maintaining recorded information for replicating the
tooth pattern of blades of original keys on blades of key blanks to
form key copies.
26. The network of self-service, fully-automatic kiosks of claim
25, further comprising a connection enabled between the remote
central server and any of the individual kiosks.
27. The network of self-service, fully-automatic kiosks of claim
25, wherein the remote central server receives a request for one or
more of the key copies to be mailed to a customer.
28. The network of self-service, fully-automatic kiosks of claim
27, wherein the request is received from a customer.
29. The network of self-service, fully-automatic kiosks of claim
28, wherein the request is received via one of the individual
kiosks.
30. A key-duplicating system comprising a network that includes: a
multiplicity of kiosks at a multiplicity of different locations,
each of the kiosks having a customer interface and a processor
coupled to the customer interface; a remote central server coupled
to the kiosks and adapted to receive, from the kiosks, information
identifying master keys to be duplicated; a key analysis module for
using the information identifying master keys to be duplicated to
derive information required to produce duplicates of the identified
master keys; and a key duplicating module for producing duplicates
of the identified master keys by using the information required to
produce duplicates of the identified master keys.
31. The key-duplicating system of claim 30 in which the master key
information is stored in a memory coupled to the remote central
server.
32. The key-duplicating system of claim 30, wherein at least one of
the remote central server and a kiosk of the multiplicity of kiosks
sends communications to customers.
33. The key-duplicating system of claim 32, wherein the
communications include receipts for completed transactions.
34. The key-duplicating system of claim 33, wherein the receipts
are using contact information received at the at least one
kiosk.
35. A key-duplicating method comprising: providing a network
including a multiplicity of kiosks at a multiplicity of different
locations, each of the kiosks having a customer interface and a
processor coupled to the customer interface; transmitting
information identifying master keys to be duplicated, from the
kiosks to a remote central server coupled to the kiosks; deriving
information required to produce duplicates of the identified master
keys, from the information identifying master keys to be
duplicated; and producing duplicates of the identified master keys
by using the information required to produce duplicates of the
identified master keys.
36. The method of claim 35, further comprising transmitting, via at
least one processor within a respective kiosk or within the remote
central server, communications to customers.
37. The method of claim 36, wherein the communications include
receipts for completed transactions.
38. The method of claim 37, further comprising sending, via the
processor within the respective kiosk or within the remote central
server, the receipts using contact information received at the at
least one kiosk.
39. A network of self-service, fully-automatic kiosks for
duplicating keys, the network comprising a multiplicity of the
kiosks at different locations, a remote central server coupled to
the kiosks for receiving information from and sending information
to the kiosks, each of the individual kiosks comprising: a kiosk
housing having a customer interface for receiving payment from a
customer for the purchase of at least one duplicate of the
customer's key, a key-receiving entry in the housing for receiving
at least a portion of the customer's key to be duplicated, a key
analysis system within the housing for analyzing the blade of a key
inserted in the key-receiving entry to determine whether the
inserted key matches one of a group of preselected key types and,
if so, which preselected key type is matched, a key blank storage
area within the housing for storing key blanks for each of the
preselected key types, a key blank extraction system for extracting
from the storage area a key blank for the preselected key type
matched by the blade of the key inserted in the key-receiving
entry, a key duplicating system within the kiosk for replicating
the tooth pattern of the blade of the key inserted in the
key-receiving entry, on the blade of the extracted key blank, a
processor within the kiosk and coupled to at least the customer
interface, and a communications port coupled to the processor for
communicating with the remote central server in communications that
include at least one of information from the kiosk regarding the
purchases made in the kiosk, and information regarding the key
blanks contained in the storage area in the kiosk.
40. The network of self-service, fully-automatic kiosks of claim 39
in which the storage area in the individual kiosks includes a
sensor for generating a signal when the number of key blanks, of
any of the preselected types, stored in the kiosk is reduced to a
preselected threshold.
41. The network of self-service, fully-automatic kiosks of claim 39
in which the customer interfaces in the individual kiosks include a
payment device coupled to the processor in the individual kiosks,
and the processor is programmed to transmit payment information
from the payment devices to a remote processor.
42. A method of duplicating keys in a network of self-service,
fully-automatic kiosks at different locations, each having a
customer interface for receiving payment from a customer for the
purchase of at least one duplicate of the customer's key, and a
remote central server coupled to the kiosks for receiving
information from and sending information to the kiosks, the method
comprising: receiving at least a portion of the customer's key to
be duplicated in a key-receiving entry in the kiosks; analyzing the
blade of the key inserted in the key-receiving entry and
determining whether the inserted key matches one of a group of
preselected key types and, if so, which preselected key type is
matched; storing key blanks for each of the preselected key types
in a key blank storage area within the kiosks; extracting from the
storage area a key blank for the preselected key type matched by
the blade of the key inserted in the key-receiving entry;
replicating the tooth pattern of the blade of the key inserted in
the key-receiving entry, on the blade of the extracted key blank,
within the kiosks; providing customer access to the key with the
replicated tooth pattern for removal from the kiosks; and
communicating with the remote central server remote from each of
the kiosks to provide the remote central server with at least one
of: information from each of the kiosks regarding the purchases
made in the kiosks, and information regarding the key blanks
contained in each of the kiosks.
43. The method of claim 42 in which the kiosks include sensors for
generating signals when the number of key blanks, of any of the
preselected types, stored in a kiosk is reduced to a preselected
threshold.
44. The method of claim 42 in which the customer interfaces in the
individual kiosks include a payment device coupled to the processor
in the individual kiosks, and the processor is programmed to
transmit payment information from the payment devices to a remote
processor.
45. The network of self-service, fully automatic kiosks of claim 39
in which the replicating is effected by replicating the tooth
pattern of the key inserted in the key-receiving entry.
46. The network of self-service, fully automatic kiosks of claim 39
in which the customer interface includes a touch screen to enable a
customer to enter information into the kiosk.
47. The network of self-service, fully automatic kiosks of claim 46
in which the touch screen displays requests for the customer to
enter the customer's contact information via the touch screen.
48. The network of self-service, fully automatic kiosks of claim 46
in which the touch screen displays options that the customer can
select via the touch screen.
49. The network of self-service, fully automatic kiosks of claim 39
in which the communications with the remote central server include
the types of key blanks selected by customers using each of the
kiosks, and the remote central server contains information
regarding the geographical location of each kiosk and the
identification of the store in which each kiosk is located so that
the server can correlate types of key blanks selected by customers
with geographical regions or store identifications.
50. The network of self-service, fully automatic kiosks of claim 39
in which the processors in the individual kiosks are programmed to
display purchase options for a customer.
51. The method of claim 42 in which the replicating is effected by
cutting the blade of the extracted key blank to match the tooth
pattern of the key inserted in the key-receiving entry.
52. The method of claim 42 in which the customer interface includes
a touch screen to enable a customer to enter information into the
kiosk.
53. The method of claim 52 in which the touch screen displays
requests for the customer to enter the customer's contact
information via the touch screen.
54. The method of claim 52 in which the touch screen displays
options that the customer can select via the touch screen.
55. The method of claim 42 in which the processors in the
individual kiosks are programmed to display purchase options for a
customer.
56. A network of self-service, fully-automatic kiosks for
duplicating keys, the network comprising: a multiplicity of the
kiosks at different locations, each of the individual kiosks
including a customer interface for conducting a key copying
transaction, a key-receiving entry for receiving at least a portion
of an original key to be duplicated, a key analysis system for
analyzing the original key, and a key duplicating system within the
kiosk for replicating the original key to form a first key copy;
and a remote central server coupled to the kiosks for receiving
information from and sending information to the kiosks, the remote
central server maintaining recorded information for replicating the
original key to form a second key copy.
57. The network of self-service, fully-automatic kiosks of claim
56, further comprising a processor within each of the kiosks, the
processor being coupled to at least one of the customer interface,
the key analysis system, and the key duplicating system, the
processor being programmed to transmit the recorded information to
the remote central server.
58. The network of self-service, fully-automatic kiosks of claim
56, wherein the second key copy is formed without repeating the
receiving of the original key into the key-receiving entry.
59. The network of self-service, fully-automatic kiosks of claim
56, wherein the remote central server receives a customer request
for mailing the second key copy.
60. The network of self-service, fully-automatic kiosks of claim
56, wherein the customer interface includes a touch screen that
displays requests for the customer to enter the customer's contact
information via the touch screen.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of prior U.S.
application Ser. No. 13/153,065, filed Jun. 3, 2011, which claims
the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 61/351,046
filed Jun. 3, 2010, both of which are incorporated herein by
reference in their respective entireties.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention is directed to the field of key duplication.
More specifically, the invention is directed to a kiosk for
automatic key duplication involving no trained human operator. It
only requires a customer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Duplicate keys are typically cut from pre-existing master
keys using a hand-operated table-top tool having two clamps, a
cutting wheel, a follower and a cleaning wheel. There is a
long-felt need for a fully automatic key identifying and/or
duplicating machine that can provide a duplicate key for an
ordinary consumer in a manner as easy as purchasing an item from a
vending machine or receiving money from an automated teller
machine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In accordance with one embodiment, a self-service,
fully-automatic kiosk for duplicating keys includes a kiosk housing
having a customer interface for receiving payment from a customer
for the purchase of at least one duplicate of the customer's key. A
key-receiving entry in the housing receives at least a portion of
the customer's key to be duplicated, and a key analysis system
within the housing analyzes the blade of a key inserted in the
key-receiving entry to determine whether the inserted key matches
one of a group of preselected key types and, if so, which
preselected key type is matched. A key blank magazine within the
housing stores key blanks for each of the preselected key types. A
key blank extraction system extracts from the magazine a key blank
for the preselected key type matched by the blade of the key
inserted in the key-receiving entry. Then a key duplicating system
within the kiosk replicates the tooth pattern of the blade of the
key inserted in the key-receiving entry, on the blade of the
extracted key blank. The kiosk includes a processor coupled to
sensors and controllable devices within the kiosk and to a
communications port for communicating with a remote central server.
The processor is programmed to display multiple available manual
commands in response to an input signal requesting such a display,
and, in response to manual selection of the commands, to produce
signals that energize and de-energize selected devices within the
kiosk, thereby permitting remote manual control of the devices and
mechanisms associated with those devices. The processor may also be
programmed to control a video camera within the kiosk, in response
to command signals received from the remote central server via the
communications port, so that a remote operator can view the
interior of the kiosk while manually controlling devices within the
kiosk. The status of multiple devices within the kiosk may also be
displayed by the processor in response to a signal from the remote
computer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] The invention will be better understood from the following
description of preferred embodiments together with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0006] FIG. 1 is a front perspective of a key-duplicating
kiosk.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a front perspective of the same kiosk shown in
FIG. 1 with the front panel opened to reveal the internal
structure.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the electrical
system in the kiosk of FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0009] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective of the key entry in the
front wall of the kiosk of FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a screen shot of a "Welcome" screen in the display
in the front wall of the kiosk of FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a screen shot of a "Select A Key Design" screen in
the display in the front wall of the kiosk of FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0012] FIG. 7 is a screen shot of a "Select Key Quantity" screen in
the display in the front wall of the kiosk of FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0013] FIG. 8 is a screen shot of a "Review Order and Pay" screen
in the display in the front wall of the kiosk of FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0014] FIG. 9 is a screen shot of a "Insert Your Key Below" screen
in the display in the front wall of the kiosk of FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0015] FIG. 10 is a screen shot of an "Insert and Hold Your Key"
screen in the display in the front wall of the kiosk of FIGS. 1 and
2.
[0016] FIG. 11 is a screen shot of a "Please Wait . . . In
Progress" screen in the display in the front wall of the kiosk of
FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0017] FIG. 12 is a screen shot of a "Thank You" screen in the
display in the front wall of the kiosk of FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0018] FIG. 13 is a screen shot of an "Email Receipt" screen in the
display in the front wall of the kiosk of FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0019] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the key entry door
mechanism shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, with the door in its closed and
latched position.
[0020] FIG. 15 is a front elevation of the key entry door mechanism
shown in FIG. 14, with the door in a partially open and unlatched
position.
[0021] FIG. 16 is front elevation of the key entry door mechanism
shown in FIG. 14, with the door in a fully open and unlatched
position.
[0022] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the master key-alignment,
clamping and analysis systems in the kiosk of FIGS. 1 and 2, with a
master key fully inserted.
[0023] FIG. 18 is a slightly rotated and enlarged perspective view
of the master-key clamping and analysis systems shown in FIG. 17,
with the master key not yet inserted.
[0024] FIG. 19 is a further enlarged perspective of the master-key
length sensing system in the master-key analysis system shown in
FIGS. 17 and 18, with the tip of the master key engaging the
length-sensing system.
[0025] FIG. 20 is an enlarged perspective view of the left-hand
portion of the systems shown in FIG. 17, with the master
key-alignment system in its fully advanced position and the
profile-matching gauges in their key-engaging positions.
[0026] FIG. 21 is an enlarged and exploded perspective of the
left-hand portion of the master-key alignment system shown in FIGS.
17 and 20.
[0027] FIG. 22 is an enlarged top plan view of the master-key
alignment mechanism advanced to its intermediate or "low-force"
position and with the master key not yet inserted.
[0028] FIG. 23 is the same top plan view shown in FIG. 22 with the
master key inserted but not fully aligned.
[0029] FIG. 24 is the same top plan view shown in FIG. 23 with the
alignment mechanism advanced to its most advanced or "high-force"
position to fully align the master key.
[0030] FIG. 25 is an enlarged perspective view of the right-hand
end of the master-key alignment mechanism shown in FIG. 24.
[0031] FIG. 26 is a further enlarged side elevation of a master key
and one of the pins in the alignment mechanism shown in FIG.
25.
[0032] FIG. 27 is an enlarged, exploded perspective of the master
key shoulder-sensing arrangement in the master-key alignment system
shown in FIGS. 21-26.
[0033] FIG. 28 is an enlarged perspective view of the master key
clamping assembly, with a master key fully inserted into the open
clamping assembly.
[0034] FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the master key-alignment
mechanism in its retracted position and with the profile-matching
gauges engaging a fully inserted master key.
[0035] FIG. 30 is a further enlarged side elevation of the
profile-matching gauges shown in FIG. 29 with the profile-matching
gauges disengaged from the master key.
[0036] FIG. 31 is a front perspective view of the key-blank
magazine and the key-entry door mechanisms in the kiosk of FIGS. 1
and 2.
[0037] FIG. 32 is an enlarged front perspective view of the top of
the key-blank magazine.
[0038] FIG. 33 is a perspective view of a stack of key blanks and a
tool for loading the stack of key blanks into the key blank
magazine.
[0039] FIG. 34 is the same perspective view shown in FIG. 33, with
the stack of key blanks engaged by the tool.
[0040] FIG. 35 is a sectional view of a stack of key blanks
contained in an opened box, with the tool shown in FIGS. 33 and 34
positioned adjacent the open end of the box.
[0041] FIG. 36 is the same sectional view shown in FIG. 35, with
the tool engaging the stack of key blanks in the box.
[0042] FIG. 37 is the same sectional view shown in FIGS. 35 and 36,
with the stack of key blanks removed from the box by the tool.
[0043] FIG. 38 is the same sectional view of the tool and the stack
of key blanks shown in FIG. 37, but positioned adjacent the upper
end of the key blank magazine.
[0044] FIG. 39 is an enlarged front perspective view of the bottom
portion of the key-blank magazine, along with the key-blank
clamping assembly and carrier, in the kiosk of FIGS. 1 and 2, with
a single key blank being extracted from the magazine.
[0045] FIG. 40 is the same perspective view shown in FIG. 39 but
with two stacks of key blanks in the magazine and showing the
duplicate key discharge chute.
[0046] FIG. 41 is a front perspective view of the key-blank
magazine and its transport mechanism, the key-blank clamping
mechanism and carrier, the master-key clamping assembly and the
cutting wheel and associated vacuum housing.
[0047] FIG. 42 is a top rear perspective view of the same
mechanisms shown in FIG. 41.
[0048] FIG. 43 is an enlarged perspective view of the mechanism for
extracting a key blank from the key-blank magazine, with an
extracted key blank about to engage the alignment and clamping
mechanisms.
[0049] FIG. 44 is the same perspective view shown in FIG. 43 with
the key-blank extraction mechanism engaging the extracted key blank
and advancing that blank into the alignment and clamping
mechanisms.
[0050] FIG. 45 is an enlarged perspective view of the key-blank
clamping assembly with the extracted key blank fully inserted and
the clamping mechanism still open.
[0051] FIG. 46 is the same perspective view shown in FIG. 45 with
the clamping mechanism closed to clamp the extracted key blank.
[0052] FIG. 47 is an enlarged perspective view of the key-blank
clamping assembly clamping an extracted key blank, the base on
which the clamping assembly is mounted, the carrier on which the
base is mounted, and the cam mechanism for pivoting the base.
[0053] FIGS. 48 through 55 are perspective views of the
key-duplicating mechanisms in successive stages of a duplicating
operation, with a reduced end elevation showing the angular
position of the key-blank clamping assembly and its base in each
stage.
[0054] FIG. 56 is an enlarged top front perspective of a master key
and a key blank in their respective clamping assemblies during a
key-duplicating operation.
[0055] FIG. 57 is an enlarged perspective view from the front of
the left-hand side of the key-blank clamping assembly, base,
carrier and transport mechanism.
[0056] FIG. 58 is a diagrammatic plan view of a master key clamped
for engagement by a follower and a key blank clamped to be cut to
reproduce the tooth profile of the master key.
[0057] FIG. 59 is the same diagrammatic plan view as FIG. 58 with
the follower moved about halfway along the teeth of the master key,
and with the teeth already passed by the follower cut in the key
blank.
[0058] FIG. 60 is a perspective view of a vacuum system associated
with the cutting and de-burring wheels in the key duplicating
system.
[0059] FIG. 61 is a functional block diagram of a kiosk network
that includes a plurality of the kiosks of FIGS. 1 and 2 and an
associated communication system connecting all the kiosks via the
Internet with a central office, a payment processor and an email
server.
[0060] FIG. 62 is an first example of a Remote Management Tool
display.
[0061] FIG. 63 is a second example of a Remote Management Tool
display.
[0062] FIG. 64 is an example of an image produced by the video
camera inside the kiosk.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0063] Although the invention will be described in connection with
certain preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the
invention is not limited to those particular embodiments. On the
contrary, the invention is intended to cover all alternatives,
modifications, and equivalent arrangements as may be included
within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the
appended claims.
[0064] Key duplication requires analysis of the master key to
determine the model and tooth pattern of the master key, and then
reproducing that tooth pattern on a key blank of the same model as
the master key. It is generally necessary to have the master key
stationary and to firmly hold the key blank while reproducing the
tooth pattern.
[0065] The exemplary key-duplicating kiosk shown in FIGS. 1 and 2
has a housing 10 that includes a touch-screen display 11, a payment
device 12 such as a credit or debit card reader, a viewing window
13, a key-receiving entry 14 that includes a door 100 that opens to
reveal a key insertion slot 104, a duplicate key discharge tray 15
and a keychain discharge tray 16. This kiosk enables a consumer to
insert a master key into the slot 104 and have the master key
automatically duplicated while the head of the key is always
projecting from the kiosk, just as when a key is used in a door. At
the base of the viewing window 13. three indicators lights 18a-18c
are illuminated to inform the customer when to "Insert Key" (light
18a), "Key Accepted" (light 18b) or "Remove Key" (light 18c). The
kiosk also includes a pair of speakers 19a and 19b and illuminated
signs 20a and 20b to help attract customers to the kiosk. The
interior of the kiosk is illuminated to facilitate viewing of the
key duplicating operations through the viewing window 13.
[0066] The depth and width of the kiosk housing 10 are 25'' and
34'', respectively, so that the kiosk footprint is less than about
6 square feet, to minimize the floor space occupied by the kiosk in
a retail store. This kiosk has the capacity of storing more than
3000 key blanks of different types and styles. For security and
safety reasons, the kiosk is entirely self-contained except for an
electrical power connection. Electronic communications with the
processor inside the kiosk are preferably wireless. A locked door
in the front of the housing 10 permits access by only authorized
personnel for replenishing the supply of key blanks inside the
kiosk, or for repair or maintenance purposes. Different access
privileges may be provided for merchandisers (replenishment),
maintenance, and removal of cash.
[0067] The touch-screen display 11 contains soft touch keys denoted
by graphics on the underlying display and used to operate the kiosk
10. The touch screen preferably extends over the entire display 11
to allow customers to make displayed selections by touching the
touch screen at appropriate touch keys. The display itself may take
the form of a high resolution LCD, a plasma display, an LED or OLED
display, a non-touch screen with selection buttons along the side,
or any other type of display suitable for use in the kiosk 10.
[0068] The payment device 12 may include a bill acceptor for
receiving paper currency, a coin acceptor, a change dispenser, a
card reader, and/or a reader or sensor for other tangible portable
credit storage devices that may also authorize access to and debit
a central account, such as a cellular payment system which operates
via text messages from customers' cell phones.
[0069] Turning now to FIG. 3, the various components of the kiosk
10 are controlled by a general-purpose processor 24 (also referred
to as a PC, central processing unit (CPU) or processor such as a
microcontroller or microprocessor) contained within an electrical
enclosure 10a inside the kiosk housing 10. It will be appreciated
that the processor 24 may include one or more microprocessors,
including but not limited to a master processor, a slave processor,
and a secondary or parallel processor. The processor 24
communicates directly with a custom controller board 25 within the
kiosk, as well as the payment device 12 and the touch screen
display 11, and executes one or more programs stored in a computer
readable storage medium or memory 24a to control the display 11,
various mechanisms within the kiosk, and a communications interface
24b for communicating with remote servers and other devices. The
system memory 24a may comprise a volatile memory (e.g., a
random-access memory (RAM)) and a non-volatile memory (e.g., an
EEPROM), and may include multiple RAM and multiple program
memories. The payment device 12 signals the processor 24 when money
and/or credits have been input via the payment device.
[0070] The processor 24 may include any combination of hardware,
software, and/or firmware that may control the transfer of data
between the kiosk and a bus, another computer, processor, or device
and/or a service and/or a network. The communications interface 24b
preferably couples the kiosk wirelessly to an external network,
which is described in more detail below. The controller 25 receives
signals from various sensors 29 within the kiosk, as described in
more detail below, and generates control signals for solenoids 26,
relays 27 and motors 28 within the kiosk, as also described
below.
[0071] The key-receiving entry 14 is located in a central recess
17a of a guard 17 that protrudes from the front of the kiosk to
protect the head of a key inserted in the kiosk from being bumped.
The key entry area is the same height as a door lock, making the
key insertion process easy and intuitive for a customer. When the
customer inserts a key into the slot 104, only the blade portion of
the key extends inside the kiosk, because the slot 104 is
dimensioned to block the head portion of the key from entering the
kiosk. This prevents the loss of a customer's key inside the kiosk,
and also makes the customer comfortable because the head of the key
is always visible to the customer while it is being analyzed and
duplicated. Additionally, blocking the entry of the key head
prevents the customer from inconveniently being forced to take the
key off a keychain or remove identifiers from the key head to
insert the key for analysis and duplication. As shown in FIG. 4,
the base of the recess 17a includes graphics to help ensure that
the customer inserts the key in the proper orientation for the
receiving sensors and mechanism inside the kiosk, e.g., with the
teeth on the key blade facing to the left. These graphics can be
illuminated continuously or intermittently to attract the
customer's attention, and may also be reinforced by audio
instructions to the customer via the speakers 19a, 19b and video or
graphic instructions via the display 11.
[0072] The mechanisms inside the kiosk cabinet 10 include the
following mechanisms: [0073] a key blank magazine for storing key
blanks of different types (e.g., Schlage, Kwikset, Weiser, etc.)
and different styles (plain brass, colored flag pattern, colored
flower pattern, etc.), [0074] a vandal-proof door opening, closing
and latching mechanism for the key-entry door, [0075] devices for
aligning an inserted master key clamping mechanism that holds the
master key in a fixed, predetermined position while that key is
being analyzed and duplicated, [0076] a key identification system
that identifies the type of key blank needed to duplicate the
master key on, [0077] a follower base for holding the key blank,
[0078] a key blank extractor mechanism for loading and aligning the
desired type and style of key blank from the key blank magazine
into the blank clamp base, [0079] a key cutting mechanism for
cutting the blade of the selected key blank to reproduce the tooth
pattern of the master key, [0080] a de-burring mechanism for
removing debris from the freshly cut duplicate key, and [0081] a
vacuum system for managing the debris from the cutting and
de-burring operations.
[0082] The processor 24 and the custom controller board 25 are
programmed to carry out the following functions: [0083] the
processor controls audio outputs and the screens displayed to
customers in response to actions taken by the customer and in
response to signals produced by various sensors within the kiosk,
[0084] the controller board controls the mechanisms within the
kiosk in response to actions taken by the customer and in response
to signals produced by various sensors within the kiosk, [0085] the
processor collects and accumulates data regarding use of the kiosk,
such as the number of duplicate keys made, the number of different
types of key blanks remaining in the key-blank magazine in the
kiosk, revenue generated by the kiosk by time and date, cumulative
use time of parts that wear, etc., and errors that occur, and
[0086] the processor communicates via the cell modem or other
network connection method with one or more remote computers/servers
to transmit reports, maintenance alarms, etc. to the remote
computers/servers.
[0087] When the kiosk is not in use by a customer, the display 11
displays a promotion, such as "Buy 2, Get 1 Free", and a message
that invites a customer to "Touch Here to Begin." The screen may
also include advertising for a third party, which can be remotely
managed and automatically adapted to the kiosk venue, time of day,
individual customers and other factors. When a customer stands in
front of the kiosk, a proximity detector (not shown) located on the
front panel of the kiosk triggers the initiation of a voiceover or
video demonstration on how to use the machine. When the customer
touches the touch screen 11, the display changes to a welcome
screen, shown in FIG. 5, that gives the customer an option to
"Start Your Order Now" or select a "Help" or "Espanol" button.
Selecting the "Help" button at any time displays an FAQ screen from
which the customer can select a topic to obtain more information.
Selecting the "Espanol" button displays the instructions in
Spanish. The display may also give the customer multiple language
options to choose from. Selection of the "Start Your Order Now"
option changes the display to ask the customer to "Select a Key
Design," as shown in FIG. 6. If the customer has difficulty
reaching the options on the touch screen 11, touching a blue
handicap icon at the bottom right corner of the screen changes the
display to a screen that adds a numerical panel at the bottom of
the screen and numbers the design choices, which facilitates
selecting a key design from a wheelchair, for example. The heights
of the blue handicap icon and the top of the numerical panel are
preferably no more than 54 inches above the floor in front of the
kiosk, to meet the requirements of ADA regulations in the U.S.
[0088] The screen in FIG. 6 also includes a "Key Chain Only" option
which, when touched, changes the display to a screen where the
customer can select a particular style of keychain. Upon selection
of a key style on the touch-screen display of FIG. 6, the display
changes to the screen shown in FIG. 7, which asks the customer to
select the number of keys to be purchased. This display also offers
an option to "Start Over" to make any necessary changes. Promotions
on keys, such as "Buy 2, Get 1 Free" or "Add Another Key at a
Special Price" can also be made available to the customer on this
screen, and the customer can select "Yes" or "No" to accept or
reject the promotion, enter a code provided for a promotion, or
swipe a retail membership or value card.
[0089] When the desired quantity of duplicated keys has been
selected, the display changes to the "Review Order and Pay" screen
shown in FIG. 8, which gives the customer the option of selecting
"Back" to make changes to the order, to go to "Help," to view the
"Terms and Conditions" of the purchase, or to "Cancel Order." This
screen also directs the customer to swipe a credit card through the
card reader slot and illustrates how to insert the card and the
types of credit cards that can be used. When a credit card is
swiped through the card reader 12, the data from the credit card is
automatically sent to the cell modem or other network connection
for transmission to a remote server of a credit card provider for
authorization of the given credit card, along with the amount of
the customer's order plus a preselected additional amount to cover
any additional options to be offered the customer, as discussed
below, or a flat predetermined amount for any transaction by any
customer. The remote credit card provider promptly returns a "yes"
or "no" for the dollar amount of the customer's order to be charged
to the swiped credit card.
[0090] If the response from the credit provider is a "no" (the
selected credit card is not authorized for payment), the display
may change to inform the customer that credit has been denied,
inviting the customer to insert a different credit card. If no
action is taken by the customer within a preselected time interval,
the display asks "do you need more time," and if no action is
taken, then the display is returned to the "Touch to Start"
screen.
[0091] If the response from the credit provider is a "yes" (the
card is authorized for payment), or if the card is accepted because
of a lack of connectivity with the credit provider, the system is
ready to accept a key from the customer, and the door 100 is opened
to permit insertion of the customer's key into a slot 104. This
authorizes the charge, but the payment will only be completed at
the end of the key duplication process. At the same time the door
100 is opened, the display is changed to request the customer to
insert the key to be duplicated, with instructions specifying which
direction the key should be facing, as shown in the screen shot in
FIG. 9. This screen also has an "I can't insert my key" option,
which, when touched, displays a screen that informs the customer
that "Your key cannot be duplicated" FIG. 10 is a screen shot of a
display that is generated if a problem is encountered during
automatic alignment of the customer's key after it is inserted, as
described in detail below. FIG. 11 is a screen shot of a display
generated while the customer's key is being duplicated.
[0092] At the end of the key duplication process the display is
changed to show the customer an on-screen copy of his or her
transaction receipt, as shown in FIG. 12. The interface has "Email
Receipt" and "Start Over" buttons. The "Start Over" button ends the
customer order session and restarts a new order. The "Email
Receipt" button links the customer to a screen with a QWERTY style
virtual keyboard, as shown in FIG. 13, that allows the customer to
enter an email address in a field within a preselected time-out
interval. Once a customer completes entering an email address into
this field and touches the "Continue" button, the display changes
to a screen that informs the customer that a receipt has been sent
to the email address that was entered. When the transaction is
complete, the display gives the customer an option to send a text
or email message with a coupon code inviting another person to use
the machine. The display also allows the customer to send a message
from the machine to a group of people on a social network.
Furthermore, the display gives high volume customers the option of
enrolling in a frequent buyer program which sends the customers
special promotions or discounts for future purchases.
[0093] FIGS. 14-16 illustrate an automated key-entry door mechanism
that includes a latch to hold the door 100 in its closed position
until the customer is instructed to insert a key to be duplicated.
The door 100 is formed by a horizontally elongated plate that
slides between outer and inner stationary plates 101 and 102 having
registered key-entry apertures 103 and 104. The aperture 104 in the
inner stationary plate 104 is in the form of a horizontal key-entry
slot, so that it permits the key blade to enter the kiosk but
blocks entry of the head of the key. The movable plate 100 also has
a key-entry aperture 105 that is slightly smaller than the aperture
102 in the outer stationary plate 101, but only when the movable
plate 100 is in its open position, illustrated in FIG. 16. When the
movable plate 100 is in its closed position, as illustrated in FIG.
14, a solid portion of the plate 100 covers the apertures in the
two stationary plates 101 and 102.
[0094] To latch the movable plate 100 in its closed position, so
that the closure of the key-receiving entry is tamper-proof, a
first latch element 110 is pivotably coupled to one end of the
plate 100. This first latch element 110 includes a hooked portion
110a that meshes with a second latch element 112 having a hooked
portion 112a and pivotably coupled to a stationary pin 113. The
first latch element 110 is urged toward the second latch element
112 by a coil spring 114 that has one end attached to the first
latch element 110, and a second end attached to a stationary pin
114a. Thus, the first latch element 110 is continuously urged
toward its position of latching engagement with the second latch
element 112. To open the latch, a motor driven cam 115 is rotated
to lift the second latch element 112 away from the first latch
element 110, and then pivots the first latch element in a clockwise
direction (as viewed in FIG. 15) to pull the plate 100 to the right
to bring the aperture 105 into register with the apertures 103 and
104 in the stationary plates. This opens the key entry door so that
a customer can insert a key into the key entry slot 104. Continued
rotation of the cam allows the first latch element 110 to pivot in
a counterclockwise direction, returning to its original closed
position under the urging of the spring 114.
[0095] When it is desired to have the customer remove the key from
the key entry slot, the drive motor for the cam 115 is energized to
return the cam to its original position, thereby allowing the
spring 114 to return the first latch element to its latched
position, which in turn slides the plate 100 to its closed
position. Returning the cam 115 to its original position also
allows the second latch element 112 to return to engagement with
the first latch element 110, thereby securing the movable plate 100
in its closed position. The latch provides protection against
tampering or vandalism.
[0096] FIGS. 17 through 26 illustrate an alignment mechanism 30
inside the kiosk for properly positioning a key inserted by a
customer, to permit that key to be accurately evaluated and
duplicated. The alignment mechanism 30 is shown in FIGS. 17-26. The
mechanism 30 is shown in its fully retracted position in FIG. 17;
in its intermediate, low-force position in FIGS. 22 and 23; and in
its fully advanced, high-force position in FIGS. 20 and 24. The
alignment mechanism includes a lower block 31 that is mounted for
sliding movement along a rail 32. A pair of low-force springs 33
and 34 maintain a space between the lower block 31 and an upper
block 35, which in turn is attached to a drive screw 36 that is
threaded through the upper block 35 so that rotation of the drive
screw 36 by a drive motor 37 moves the upper block 35 along an axis
parallel to the rail 32. The right-hand end of the lower block 31,
as viewed in FIG. 21, forms a horizontal slot 31a that receives the
toothed edge of a master key inserted into the kiosk by a customer.
Three horizontal pins P1-P3 extend into the slot 31a and are urged
toward the key K by light springs 51-53 similar to the tumbler
springs in a lock. The upper block 35 also carries a high-force
block 40 that is mounted for sliding movement on the uppermost
surface of the upper block 35, with a pair of high-force springs 43
and 44 (supported on rods 42a and 42b) urging the high-force block
40 to the right as viewed in FIGS. 17, 20 and 21.
[0097] From the time the kiosk first requests the customer to
insert the key to be duplicated, the customer has approximately 60
seconds to insert a key into the slot 17. During this time, the
alignment mechanism 30 is in the "low-force" position, waiting for
a key insertion. When the customer begins to insert a key into the
slot 21, an optical sensor 22 (FIG. 18) adjacent the key-insertion
slot 21 immediately detects the entry of the leading end of the key
and produces a "Key Present" signal that causes the kiosk
controller to start a 7-second time interval, so that action can be
taken if full insertion of the key has not been completed within 7
seconds. That is, the customer is allowed 7 seconds to finish
inserting the key into the slot.
[0098] While the master key K is being inserted into the kiosk, a
pair of sensors produce signals that are used by the controller to
determine whether the master key is possibly a type that can be
duplicated by the kiosk. Specifically, as the master key K is
inserted into the kiosk, the tip of the key engages and advances a
slide 71 (FIG. 19) against the biasing force of a spring 72 that
urges the slide against the end of the key K, as shown in FIG. 19.
The slide 71 carries two tabs 71a and 71b projecting laterally from
the slide 71 to pass through a pair of corresponding optical
sensors 73a and 73b. The narrower tab 71a trips the sensor 73a to
indicate whether the key length is within a prescribed range of
acceptable key lengths, and the wider tab 71b trips the sensor 73b
if the key length is too long to be duplicated by the kiosk.
[0099] Before the key K engages the slide 71, the two tabs 71a and
71b are outside their respective optical sensors 73a and 73b. After
the key K engages the slide 71 and begins to advance it, to the
right as viewed in FIG. 19, the narrow tab 71a enters the sensor
73a and interrupts the light beam of that sensor until the slide 43
has been advanced through a distance equal to the width of the tab
71a. Thus, the time interval during which the light beam is
interrupted corresponds to a preselected range of movement of the
slide 71, which in turn corresponds to a range of key lengths. If
the master key K inserted by the customer falls within this range,
the controller produces a "Correct Range" signal. If the master key
K does not fall within this range, it is not a key type that can be
duplicated by the kiosk.
[0100] The wide tab 71b enters its sensor 73b slightly before the
narrow tab 71a exits from the light beam in the sensor 73a, so if
the light beam in the sensor 73b is interrupted at the time the
narrow tab exits from its light beam, the two sensor outputs
indicate that the master key K is too long rather than too short.
In this event, the controller immediately generates a signal that
causes the display of a message informing the customer that "We
Cannot Copy Your Key," without waiting for the time-out of the
7-second interval. As long as neither of the two light beams has
been interrupted, insertion of the key might not yet be completed,
so no message is generated until the 7-second interval has expired.
If at that time neither light beam has been interrupted, the
controller generates the "We Cannot Copy Your Key" message.
[0101] Full insertion of the key is detected by a sensor 23 (see
FIG. 27) that sends a signal to the kiosk controller when the top
shoulder of the key K reaches a predetermined advanced position.
Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the left-hand ("top")
shoulder of the key (as viewed from the front of the kiosk) engages
a first sensor arm 23a to move a stub shaft 23b to a different
angular position with respect to a shaft 23e. This in turn moves a
tab on the end of a second sensor arm 23c into an optical sensor
23d. This causes the optical sensor 23d to send a "Key Fully
Inserted" signal to the controller to indicate that the master key
has been fully inserted into the kiosk. The two sensor arms 23a and
23c both pivot around the shaft 23e, with the tab on the arm 23c
being located farther from the shaft 23e than the stub shaft 23b,
so that a small angular movement of the arm 23a results in a much
larger angular movement of the arm 23c and its tab.
[0102] If the controller does receive a "Key Fully Inserted"
signal, a "Correct Range" signal and a "Key Present" signal within
the 7-second time interval, the controller changes the display to
"We cannot copy your key," and the order is canceled. If the
controller receives a "Key Fully Inserted" signal, a "Correct
Range" signal and a "Key Present" signal within the 7-second time
interval, the controller causes the key-alignment mechanism 30 to
be moved to its fully advanced, "high-force" position to precisely
position the fully inserted key before it is clamped in place for
the duplicating process. If the controller determines that the key
cannot be duplicated by the kiosk because the inserted key is too
long, it immediately informs the customer that "We cannot copy your
key." If the controller determines that the inserted key cannot be
duplicated by the kiosk because the inserted key is too short, the
kiosk controller waits until the 7-second interval has expired, and
if nothing changes before that interval expires, the display is
changed to inform the customer that "We cannot copy your key," and
directing the customer to remove the key from the kiosk.
[0103] If the kiosk controller determines that the master key K may
possibly be duplicated, the drive screw motor 37 of the alignment
mechanism 30 is energized to turn the drive screw 36 to advance the
upper block 35 to the position shown in FIGS. 20 and 24. In this
position, the high-force springs 43 and 44 are compressed between
the upper block 35 and the high-force block 40, thereby moving the
high-force block 40 and a pin rocker arm 41 to the right. The
rocker arm 41 slides on the top surface of the lower block 31 and
is coupled to the two end pins P1 and P3 by a pair of vertical pins
41a and 41b. Thus, the force of the springs 43 and 44 is
transmitted to the key K via the block 40, the rocker arm 41, and
the vertical pins 41a and 41b that extend through respective slots
31a and 31b in the block 31 to permit sliding movement of the pins
41a and 41b relative to the block 31. The middle pin P2 is also
biased against the key K by its spring S2, but is not subjected to
the force of the springs 43 and 44. The purpose of the rocker arm
41 is to permit the two end pins P1 and P3 to move relative to each
other so that they can engage notches of different depths in the
toothed edge of the master key K. Thus, the force of the springs 43
and 44 is applied to the toothed edge of the key K at two spaced
locations, via pins P1 and P3, thereby ensuring that the opposite
(straight) edge of the master key is pressed firmly against a
vertical alignment wall 49 on the lower clamp 50. This completes
the precise alignment of the master key K, so that it can be
clamped to prevent any movement of the master key while it is
analyzed and duplicated.
[0104] The two end pins P1 and P3 are beveled on both sides to form
a straight vertical edge that engages the master key K and urges
the key against the alignment wall 49. Because the vertical edges
on the ends of the pins P1 and P3 engage the key K along the entire
height of the edge surface of the key, there is no risk of tilting
the key as it is pushed against the alignment wall 49, as depicted
in FIGS. 25 and 26.
[0105] An upper clamp 51 is then lowered into engagement with the
upper surface of the master key K to clamp the key tightly against
the lower clamp 50. The master key remains in this firmly clamped
condition while (1) the position of the clamped key is checked to
determine whether the key shifted during clamping, (2) the
alignment mechanism is moved to its fully retracted position if the
key remained in position, (3) the cross-sectional profile of the
master key is identified, (4) a blank key having the design
selected by the customer and also having the same cross sectional
profile (same key type) as the master key is extracted from the
blank-key magazines, (5) the extracted blank key is cut to have the
same tooth pattern as the master key, (6) the new key is de-burred,
(7) the new key is dropped into the duplicate key discharge tray 15
for delivery to the customer and (8) any key chains or other
options are dispensed if they were ordered.
[0106] The master key clamp is shown in FIGS. 17-18 and 28, which
depict a master key K being inserted, and then clamped, between the
lower clamp 50 and the upper clamp 51. The upper clamp 51 is
attached to a vertical shaft 53 that carries a coil spring 54 that
applies a constant strong downward force to the shaft 53, which
pulls the upper clamp 51 downwardly toward the lower clamp 50. To
open the clamp, against the downward biasing force of the spring
54, a motor 55 turns a gear 56, which turns a meshing gear 57 that
carries a cam 58. The cam surface 58 engages a cam follower 59 on
the lower end of a shaft 53 so that the cam follower 59 is pulled
down against the cam surface 58 by the force of the spring 54. When
the cam follower 59 is registered with the valley 58b of the cam
surface 58, the force of the spring 54 pulls the upper clamp 51
down tightly against the key K, thereby clamping the key tightly
against the lower clamp 50. By controlling the motor 55 to rotate
the gear 52 by a certain number of degrees, the cam follower 59 is
aligned with a peak 58a of the cam surface 58, which raises the
shaft 53 and the upper clamp 51 to open the clamping assembly and
thereby release the key K.
[0107] To control the angular position of the cam follower 59, a
pair of optical sensors 160 and 161 supply signals to the
controller when a tab 162 on a collar 163 connected to the output
shaft of the motor 55 passes through the sensors. While the tab 162
is moving from sensor 160 to sensor 161, the cam follower 59 is
riding over the peak 58a on the cm surface 58, which is the
interval during which the key clamp is open. Thus, the motor 55 can
be precisely controlled to open and close the clamp.
[0108] The "Key Present" signal mentioned above is produced by an
optical sensor 22 built into the master-key clamping assembly.
Specifically, a light source 22a is built into the lower clamp 50
and a photodetector 22b is built into the upper clamp 51, with the
light beam 21 passing through the master-key slot between the two
clamps. Thus, when a master key is inserted between the two clamps
50 and 51, the light beam is interrupted, and the sensor supplies a
corresponding output signal to the controller.
[0109] To check the position of the key after it has been clamped,
the kiosk controller checks the signals from the "Key-Fully
Inserted" sensor 23, the two length sensors 45a and 45b and the
"Key Present" sensor 22. If the kiosk controller determines that
the position of the key did not change during clamping, the
controller causes the alignment mechanism 30 to fully retract by
energizing the drive screw motor 37 to turn the drive screw 36 in
the reverse direction. If the kiosk controller determines that the
key position did change during clamping, the controller causes the
alignment mechanism 30 to return from the high-force position to
the low-force position, causes the master-key clamping assembly to
be released, and changes the kiosk display to a screen that directs
the customer to "Insert and Hold Your Key." This re-starts the
entire process described above, starting with insertion of a key by
the customer. If the customer re-inserts the key and the position
of the key again changes during clamping, the kiosk changes the
display to the screen to inform the customer that "We cannot copy
your key," and directing the customer to remove the key from the
kiosk.
[0110] As described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0145163,
the blade of the master key can have one of several different
cross-sectional profiles, and identifying the profile of the master
key effectively determines what type of key it is. Because only a
limited number of different types of key blanks can be stored in
the kiosk, the cross-sectional profile of the profile master key is
matched against only preselected profiles, which are the profiles
for which blanks are available in the kiosk. For example, a first
profile may correspond to a Schlage key, a second profile may
correspond to a Kwikset key, and a third profile may correspond to
a Weiser key. Other key types may be identified with other
corresponding profiles.
[0111] In the illustrative embodiment, the profile matching begins
by engaging each side of the blade of the master key K with a
plurality of gauges that correspond to the cross-sectional profile
of one side of a specific type of key. Each gauge may have a
profile that matches all or a portion of one of the grooves in a
particular key type, or may simply sense the depth of the groove at
a particular location that is common to several different key
types, so that the combination of the depths at several different
locations can be used to identify the key type. Referring to FIGS.
29 and 30, first and second gauges 60 and 61 extend through slots
in the upper clamp 51 and are biased by springs 60a and 61a toward
the upper surface of the master key K, and third and fourth gauges
62 and 63 extend through slots in the lower clamp 50 and are biased
by springs 62a and 63a toward the lower surface of the master key
K. A cam 64 has a first position (see FIG. 30) in which it holds
the four gauges 60-63 in retracted positions while the master key
is inserted and aligned, and a second position (see FIG. 29) in
which the four gauges 60-63 are released to allow their biasing
springs to move the gauges into advanced positions where they
engage opposite sides of the master key K. The cam 64 is rotated
between its first and second positions by a drive motor 65.
[0112] The four gauges 60-63 are all mounted for pivoting movement
around a common shaft 66, for movement between their retracted and
advanced positions. The left-hand ends of the four gauges 60-63, as
viewed in FIGS. 29 and 30, are profiled to gauge the shape of the
engaged surfaces of the blade of the master key K, and the
right-hand ends of the gauges 60-63 move through four separate
optical sensors 67-70 to detect the angular position of each gauge
when it is engaging the master key. Each of the sensors 67-70
produces an output signal when the advanced position of its gauge
corresponds to the cross-sectional profile of one of the
preselected key types, which allows the matching gauge to pivot
into the grooves that form the cross-sectional profile of the blade
of the master key. This additional pivoting movement of a matching
gauge causes the right-hand end of that gauge to move into register
with its sensor, causing that sensor to produce a signal that is
used by the kiosk controller to identify the type of master key in
the clamp. Thus, each of the different preselected key types is
identified by a different combination of output signals from the
four sensors 67-70. The relatively small additional pivoting
movement of the left-hand end of a gauge when it matches the
profile of the key blade is amplified at the right-hand end of that
gauge because of the longer lever aims of the gauges on the right
side of the shaft 66.
[0113] If the combination of output signals from the four sensors
67-70 does not correspond to one of the preselected key types, the
kiosk controller changes the display to the screen that informs the
customer that the key inserted by the customer cannot be duplicated
by the kiosk and that the customer should remove the key, and the
master key clamp is released to permit removal of the key. If the
combination of output signals does correspond to one of the
preselected key types, the kiosk controller aligns that particular
type of key blank in the key-blank magazine 80 with the key-blank
extraction mechanism. If the magazine contains that type of
key-blank in different styles, the particular style selected by the
customer is aligned with the extraction mechanism.
[0114] As can be seen in FIGS. 31 and 41-42, the key-blank magazine
80 is mounted for lateral movement on a frame 81 at the rear of the
interior of the kiosk. The magazine 80 slides on a stationary
horizontal rail 82 attached to the frame 81, and a drive screw 83
threaded through a bracket 84 projecting from the back of the
magazine 80 is rotated by a reversible drive motor 85 (FIG. 42) to
move the magazine 80 in either direction along the rail 82. After
identification of the particular type of key blank needed to
reproduce the master key, and the style selected by the customer,
the kiosk controller energizes the motor 85 to move the magazine 80
to align that particular type and style of key blank with a
key-blank extractor 86 (see FIGS. 43-46). The key blank B extracted
from the magazine 80 is always the bottom key in the particular
magazine compartment that contains a stack of key blanks of the
type and style selected, and each magazine compartment has an
aperture 87 in the back wall of the magazine to permit the
extractor 86 to enter the magazine 80 and engage the lowermost key
in the particular compartment that has been moved into alignment
with the extractor.
[0115] The magazine 80 is also moved to pass each of the multiple
vertical channels past an optical sensor 93 to detect when the
supply of blanks in any channel drops below the level of the
sensor, e.g., a height of 40 key blanks above the bottom of the
magazine. As long as any given channel contains at least 40 keys, a
light beam directed to the sensor 93 from a source behind the
magazine 80 is interrupted by the stack of blanks in that channel.
But when the supply of keys in a given channel drops below 40, the
light beam is no longer interrupted, and thus the sensor 93 changes
state to indicate that the supply of blanks in that channel is low
and should be replenished.
[0116] In the illustrative embodiment, the extractor 86 is in the
form of a flat bar that has a flat front end 86a that abuts a
corresponding flat 86b on the top of each key blank. As a key blank
B is pushed forwardly out of the magazine by the extractor 86, a
taper 86c (see FIGS. 45 and 46) on the top surface of the extractor
engages and slightly lifts the key blank directly above the blank
being extracted to maintain a slight space between those two
blanks, to avoid any drag on the blank being extracted from the
weight of the stack of other blanks in that same compartment. This
helps keep the extracted blank B moving along a straight line.
[0117] Referring to FIGS. 45 and 46, the key blanks preferably have
special features that enable the controlled, accurate and precise
movement of keys from manufacturing to cutting. As already
mentioned, the head of the key blank B has a flat end surface 86b
for engaging the flat front and surface 86a of the extractor 86. In
addition, the head of the key blank B has long straight parallel
sides 81 and 82, and a preselected width that does not exceed the
width of the magazine channel. All these features are used to help
guide the key blank B along a straight path as the blank is moved
out of the magazine and into the clamping mechanism for the
extracted blank.
[0118] To avoid errors when loading the key blanks into the
magazine 80, such as inserting a particular type of blank or style
of blank into the wrong compartment, and/or inserting a blank
upside down in the correct compartment, the blanks have specific
features that physically block any given blank from entering the
wrong compartment and also block a key from entering the correct
compartment but up-side-down. For example, as can be seen in FIGS.
31 and 32, key blanks are loaded into the magazine from the top of
each compartment, and the access opening 87 at the top of each
compartment is profiled to permit only blanks that match the
profiled opening to be loaded into that compartment. The features
used to distinguish the different types of blanks from each other
for the loading profiles are primarily the shapes and dimensions of
the head portions of the blanks.
[0119] To assist in the loading of different styles of blanks of
the same type, a cavity 87a is provided at the top of the rear
surface of each compartment to receive a sample 87b of the blank to
be loaded into each compartment, as shown in FIGS. 31 and 32. Thus,
the person loading the blanks can simply look at the samples to
determine which compartment is to be loaded with blanks of any
given style for any given type of blank.
[0120] To expedite the loading of the key blanks, the manual
loading tool shown in FIGS. 33-38 can be used to quickly remove the
entire contents of a box of blanks and load them into the magazine
80 as a single unit, in a one-step operation. This tool has a
compartment 300 that is open at one end for receiving the blade
portions of a batch of a predetermined number of blanks, e.g., 40
blanks, packaged in a box 301. The blanks are preferably packaged
so that the entire stack of blanks in any given box has a dimension
that matches the width of the tool compartment 300. That is, a box
of thinner blanks will contain more blanks than a box of thicker
blanks, so that the overall dimension of the stacked thicknesses
will be substantially the same for all boxes even though they
contain different types of blanks. This permits the use of a single
universal tool.
[0121] The box 301 has spacers at opposite ends of the packaged
batch of blanks to provide spaces for receiving a pair of tabs 304
and 305 projecting from opposite ends of the compartment 300. All
the keys in a given box have the same orientation and length. A
spring-loaded gripper 306 is manually opened slightly while the
tabs 304, 305 are inserted into the box of blanks, and then
released so that the spring 307 closes the gripper 306 against the
entire batch of key blanks. A small bump 308 is formed on the top
edge of the blade of each key blank when it is manufactured, and
these bumps are engaged by a lip 309 on the free end of the gripper
306 to enable the entire batch of blanks to be captured and held
together within the tool as they are removed from the box,
transferred to the magazine, and loaded into the magazine. If a
blank is oriented in the wrong direction, it will not be gripped
and likely will drop out of the gripped stack, thereby avoiding the
loading of that blank into the magazine. The bump 308 on each blank
is ultimately removed as a part of the cutting operation that forms
the desired tooth profile in the blank within the kiosk, as
described in detail below.
[0122] FIGS. 35-38 show a key blank 400 custom made for use in the
illustrative kiosk. For home and office keys, the shoulder 401
typically is the reference location for the X-direction
(longitudinal direction). The shoulder 401 is typically referred to
as the "top" shoulder in the key industry because it is on the
toothed side of the key, which is normally the top edge of the key
when it is inserted in a lock. This is the reference "stop" when a
key is used in a lock and thus should also be used during
duplication.
[0123] There are many key blank and key machine manufacturers, and
they can and do manufacture their keys with different lengths and
bottom shoulder locations. As such, conventional home and office
key duplication theory discourages the referencing of key blanks
using the bottom shoulder and/or the tip of the key, as it may
result in keys that do not function. However, in the illustrative
kiosk, the bottom shoulder and the tip of the extracted key blank
are used as reference locations because the dimensions of the key
blanks are controlled during the custom manufacture of those
blanks. Specifically, the distance between the top shoulder and the
tip, and the distance between the top shoulder and the bottom
shoulder, are both controlled so that these dimensions may be used
to control the position of a blank as it is automatically
manipulated within the kiosk to ensure that the top shoulder of the
blank is aligned in the correct location before that blank is
cut.
[0124] Referring to FIGS. 39-46, as a blank B is pushed out of the
magazine 80, the blade of the extracted blank enters a clamp
assembly 90 that is similar in operation to the clamp assembly
described above for the master key. As the extracted blank B is
pushed into the slot between the upper clamp 90a and the lower
clamp 90b, the outboard (top) edge of the blade of the key blank
engages a guide roller 88 that has a circumferential channel or
groove for ensuring proper guidance and alignment of the blank in
the clamp assembly 90. The guide roller 88 is journaled on the end
of an arm 88a that is pivotably attached to the kiosk frame at 89
and is biased to pivot toward the clamp assembly 90 by a spring
88b. The arm 88a passes through a sensor 88c that indicates when it
is moved outwardly by a key blank, to produce a "Blank Present"
signal that is sent to the kiosk controller (see FIGS. 43 and
44).
[0125] The clamp assembly 90 is open while the extracted key blank
B is being advanced between the upper and lower clamps 90a, 90b,
and an optical sensor in the clamp assembly 90 detects the entry of
the blank into the clamp assembly and produces a "Blank Present"
signal that is sent to the kiosk controller. The optical sensor 91
is built into the clamp assembly 90. Specifically, a light source
91a is built into the lower clamp 90b and a photodetector 91b is
built into the upper clamp 90a, with the light beam passing through
the key-blank slot between the two clamps. Thus, when the key blank
being extracted enters between the two clamps 90a and 90b, the
sensor is tripped by interruption of the light beam.
[0126] The final position at which the key blank B stops within the
clamp assembly 90 is determined by one of two or more different
stops. For longer key blanks, the tip of the blade of the key blank
engages a stop block 92 on the front side of the clamp assembly 90.
For shorter key blanks, the left-hand (bottom) shoulder of the key
blank, as viewed from the front of the kiosk, engages the rear side
wall of the lower clamp 90b. After the key-blank extractor 86 has
reached its most advanced position, and the "Blank Present" signal
is still present, the clamp assembly 90 is closed by lowering the
upper clamp 90a, in the same manner described above for the master
key clamp assembly, to press the key blank tightly down against the
lower clamp 90b. The key blank is then ready to be cut to reproduce
the clamped master key.
[0127] Referring next to FIGS. 48-59, the edge of the key blank B
that protrudes from the clamp assembly 90 is cut by a cutting wheel
131 (see FIGS. 56 and 58-59). During the cutting of the selected
key blank, the master key and the cutting wheel 131 remain in fixed
positions, while the key blank B to be cut and a follower 132 for
tracing the tooth pattern on the master key move as a single unit
along an axis that is parallel to the axes of the blades of the
clamped master key K and the clamped key blank B. Specifically, the
key-blank clamp assembly 90 and the follower 132 are both mounted
on a base 133, which in turn is mounted on a carrier 134 that is
driven along a rail 135 by a motor 136 that turns a drive screw 137
threaded through the carrier 134. Movement of the carrier 134 along
the rail 135 moves both the key-blank clamp assembly 90 and the
follower 132 in unison along an axis parallel to the axes of the
blades of the clamped key and key blank. To permit movement of the
blank clamp assembly 90 and the follower 132 in a direction
substantially perpendicular to the axes of the blades of the
clamped key and key blank, the base 133 is mounted on a shaft 138
journaled in the carrier 134, with a spring 139 urging the base 133
to pivot about the shaft 138 in a clockwise direction as viewed in
FIGS. 48-55. This spring bias on the base 133 enables the follower
132 to follow the tooth pattern of the master key K, and enables
the clamped key blank B to follow the pattern of movement of the
follower 132 as the follower traverses the length of the blade of
the master key K. Thus, the cutting wheel 131 cuts a tooth pattern
in the clamped key blank B that reproduces the tooth pattern of the
master key K, as depicted in FIGS. 58 and 59.
[0128] As can be seen in FIGS. 58 and 59, the cutting wheel 131 is
oriented with an angled edge 131a facing the clamped key blank B.
FIG. 59 shows the system in mid-operation with a portion of the
tooth profile of the master key K already reproduced in the key
blank B.
[0129] When the follower 132 is not aligned with the master key K,
pivoting movement of the base 133 about the shaft 138 is limited by
a cam 140, as shown in FIGS. 48-55. In addition, the cam 140 can be
rotated to different positions to pivot the base 133, about the
shaft 138, to retract the follower 132 and the key-blank clamp
assembly 90 to positions where the follower 132 and the key blank B
cannot engage the master key K and the cutting wheel 131,
respectively. The different angular positions of the cam 140, and
thus the base 133, during different stages of a key-duplicating
process, are shown in FIGS. 48-55. In FIGS. 30-48, the cam 140 is
in its intermediate position where the base 133 is level, while the
extracted key blank B is being clamped. In FIG. 49, the cam 140 is
in its high position where the base 133 is tilted back, away from
the cam 140 and against the bias of the spring 139, while the
carrier 134 moves the clamped key blank into alignment with the
cutting wheel 131 and the follower 132 into alignment with the
clamped master key K and moves the follower 132 along the master
key.
[0130] FIG. 50 shows the clamped key blank B aligned with the
cutting wheel 131 and the follower 132 aligned with the master key
K, with the cam 140 still in its high position. In FIG. 51, the cam
140 is in its low position where the base 133 is tilted forward,
toward the cam 140, so that the spring 139 urges the key blank B
against the cutting wheel 131, and also urges the follower 132
against the master key K, while the carrier 134 moves the follower
along the blade of the master key K, and the blade of the key blank
B across the cutting wheel 131, to cut a tooth pattern in the key
blank that reproduces the tooth pattern of the master key. The
tooth profiles of the clamped master key K and the clamped key
blank B can be seen more clearly in the enlarged top plan views of
this key-duplicating operation in FIGS. 58 and 59.
[0131] In FIG. 48, the cam 140 is in its intermediate position
where the base 133 is level, while the extracted key blank B is
being clamped. FIG. 53 shows the cut key blank B aligned with the
de-burring (e.g., wire-brush) wheel 141, with the cam 140 is still
in its high position. In FIG. 54, the cam 140 has been returned to
its low position where the base 133 is tilted toward the cam 140,
while the de-burring wheel 140 is driven to clean debris from the
freshly cut teeth. After de-burring, the duplicate key is
discharged from the clamp assembly by opening the clamp and
energizing a solenoid to move an ejector pin 142. In FIG. 55, the
carrier has been returned to its starting position where the key
blank was first clamped. The ejected duplicate key slides down a
dispensing chute 143 into the duplicate-key output tray 15 in the
front of the kiosk.
[0132] Most of the key-cutting wheel 131 and the de-burring wheel
141 are enclosed in respective vacuum shrouds 144 and 145 coupled
to a common vacuum source for removing debris caused by the cutting
process. The two vacuum shrouds 144 and 145 are coupled to the
common vacuum source by respective conduits 147 and 148, both of
which join a single conduit 149 leading to the vacuum source. As
can be seen in FIG. 60, the only parts of the cutting wheel 131 and
de-burring wheel 141 that are not enclosed by the respective
shrouds 144 and 145 are the segments of the wheel surfaces that
engage the key blank to cut and de-burr the teeth of the duplicate
key. In the illustrative embodiment, the cutting wheel 131 and the
de-burring wheel 141 are mounted on two separate shafts 150 and
151. The axis of the de-burring-wheel shaft 151 is positioned
slightly below the key blank, and the de-burring wheel shaft 151 is
rotated in a direction opposite that of the cutting-wheel shaft 150
so that the tooth edges of the key blank that are first engaged by
the de-burring wheel 141 are the edges last engaged by the cutting
wheel 131, which are the edges that contain any burrs or other
debris remaining from the cutting operation.
[0133] A small digital video camera, e.g., a webcam, is mounted in
the interior of the kiosk for recording and transmitting video and
photo images of different regions of the interior of the kiosk.
These video images may be used for different purposes, such as
troubleshooting a kiosk that has reported a malfunction such as an
inability to complete a preselected number of customer-initiated
transactions within a preselected time period, repairing detected
malfunctions, monitoring the condition of parts that need periodic
replacement such as cutting tools and cleaning brushes, monitoring
the condition of items that require maintenance such as the vacuum
system that accumulates the debris from the cutting and brushing
operations, monitoring the numbers of different types of key blanks
remaining in the key-blank magazines, etc. The video output of the
digital video camera is coupled to the cell modem, for periodic
transmission to the server 210 in the central office 204 and/or to
a local service provider for a number of kiosks within a given
geographic region. The video camera can also be remotely controlled
for producing video images upon receipt of command signals from a
remote computer such as the server 201. Video images from the
camera can also be transmitted to the kiosk display, to replace or
supplement the viewing window in the kiosk that allows customers to
view the key-duplicating operations.
[0134] For example, if an error report is sent regarding
malfunctioning sensors in the kiosk, the webcam allows a remote
user to monitor the robot through the webcam and help determine
which sensors are not working properly. The remote user can then
remotely control the kiosk, or reset or re-initialize the kiosk if
necessary. In addition to being able to monitor everything that is
going on within the kiosk. the webcam can take high resolution
photographs of a problematic area, which can then be further
analyzed at a remote location to determine what mitigation steps
need to be taken. For example, if the webcam shows that a key is
jammed in the kiosk, that problem can be fixed by remotely
commanding the kiosk to eject the jammed key.
[0135] FIG. 61 is a diagram of a network of multiple interactive,
key-duplicating kiosks 200a, 200b 200n communicating with a remote
server 201 via the communication interface 24b in each kiosk. The
communication interface 24b in each kiosk connects that kiosk to a
network 213 such as the Internet or a local network with Internet
access. A computer system 204 in a remote central office has access
via communication lines 205 and 206 to the server 201, which
receives, stores and compiles data from all the kiosks 200a-200n
and reports back to the central office computer system 204.
[0136] The kiosks 200a-200n communicate independently with a credit
card payment processor 207 via communication line 208. The credit
card payment processor 207 may also communicate with the central
office 204 via lines 211 and 212. Upon reading customers' credit
cards during the payment processes, the kiosks 200a-200n send the
credit card data through a wireless connection to the processor
207, which checks to see if each card is authorized for the
requested amount and reports the result to the kiosk. When a
request for credit card payment reports is sent to the processor
207 from the central office via line 211, the payment processor 207
sends back the requested credit card payment notification via line
212.
[0137] The individual kiosks 200a-200n also communicate
independently with individual customers 209 via communication line
210, such as when a kiosk sends an email receipt of a completed
transaction to the customer at the email address supplied to the
kiosk by that customer.
[0138] The server 201 maintains a list of all the kiosks available
for remote access, and enables a connection to be made between the
central office computer 204 and any kiosk linked to the server 201.
This allows for close monitoring of the kiosks and provides the
capability of remotely managing most issues that can arise with the
kiosks 200a-200n. The kiosks periodically report order transaction
information and error information to the server 201 via
communication line 202. The order transaction information includes
details of every completed transaction. The error information
includes any technical, mechanical, electrical or other issues that
a kiosk is experiencing, or has experienced. When the server 201
receives error information, it automatically sends an email
notification regarding the errors to the central office 204. The
server also maintains recorded information about each customer's
keyway and key profile, allowing customers to later request a copy
of their key to be mailed to them.
[0139] The processor 24 in each kiosk includes a "Remote
Maintenance Tool" (RMT) program that produces displays of (1) the
status of all the controllable devices and sensors within the
kiosk, and (2) multiple commands that can be selected by an
operator to energize or de-energize the controllable devices to
permit remote manual control of those devices and their associated
mechanisms. The Remote Management Tool (RMT) has several functions
and uses, such as moving selected motors, solenoids and parts
within the kiosk, testing systems and subsystems, viewing the
signals from various sensors in the kiosk in real time, and
commanding movement of specified motors incrementally or to bring
them to specific defined positions. These tools, used together, and
along with the live video, allows a remote expert to fix and/or
troubleshoot issues efficiently and accurately. These extensive
tools allow the remote expert to pinpoint the issue without
visiting the complex kiosk. If the expert cannot fix the kiosk
remotely, the expert can manage a field technician through the fix.
The remote expert can upload photos and videos, send instructions
to the kiosk, and walk the field technician through the fix, in
real time using the various remote tools, webcam and on-screen
commands. This allows a layman or a technician with little
experience to fix an extremely complex kiosk.
[0140] FIGS. 62 and 63 are screen shots of the two principal
displays generated by the RMT. FIG. 62 is an example of the "I/O
Test Form" display, which shows the status of all the sensors and
controllable devices in the kiosk, and also includes command
buttons that can be used for remote manual control of selected
controllable devices in the kiosk. These buttons may take the form
of touch-screen buttons, selected by touching the touch screen, or
buttons to be selected by using a mouse to position a cursor over
one of them and then clicking on it. The command buttons can be
displayed simultaneously on the kiosk display and a remote display,
but the kiosk processor is preferably programmed to disable the
command buttons on the kiosk display when those buttons are being
used remotely.
[0141] The key blank extractor is identified in the display in FIG.
62 as the "push finger," and the display shows whether it is in its
advanced ("extended") position or its retracted position. In this
example, the push finger is indicated to be in the retracted
position. If neither of these position is indicated, that means the
push finger is somewhere between the retracted and advanced
positions. The two buttons labeled "Blank Key Push Finger Extended"
and "Blank Key Push Finger Retracted," to the left of the position
indicators for the push finger, can be used to energize the drive
motor for the push finger to move it to its advanced or retracted
position. For example, a kiosk may report that it failed in pushing
a key blank from the magazine to the blank clamp (the blank is
jammed). The remote expert logs in to that kiosk remotely and uses
the RMT display in FIG. 62 to check the RETRACTED sensor and
EXTENDED sensor positions for the extractor. The expert will find
that it is either RETRACTED, EXTENDED or neither (in which case it
is somewhere between the two positions). The remote expert can also
check the sensor that indicates whether a key blank is detected in
the blank clamp (another clue as to what is going on), and may look
at the remote video to see whether the blank has been pushed
partially out of the magazine. The remote expert may then choose to
dislodge the jammed blank by "ramming it" with the extractor, by
clicking (e.g., by use of a mouse at the central office computer)
on the "Blank Key Push Finger Retract" button and then on the
"Blank Key Push Finger Extend" button. Alternatively, the remote
expert may choose to clamp a partially extracted blank (by clicking
the "Clamp Blank Key" button), and then move the blank to the dump
position for disposal (by clicking on the "MOVE Y 4000" button).
Clicking on the "PIVOT IN" button brings the blank close to the
discharge chute, and clicking on the UNCLAMP MASTER KEY button and
then the KEY EJECT button dispenses the blank. The remote expert
can watch all these operations, live, through the remote video
camera.
[0142] The display in FIG. 63 includes command buttons for remote
manual control of additional controllable devices in the kiosk. By
clicking on the various buttons in this display in the remote
central office, a remote operator can manually initiate individual
movements of the various components and mechanisms in the kiosk,
and can also control the energization and de-energization of
components such as the indicator lights on the front panel of the
kiosk, the vacuum source, the motors, etc. For example, the "Cutter
On" and "Cutter Off" buttons in the upper right corner are used to
turn the cutting wheel on and off. The upper left side of the
display in FIG. 63 can be used to command selected motors to
specified positions, or to move specified distances, along either a
vertical ("X") axis or a horizontal ("Y") axis. For example, the
motor that drives the key blank magazine can be commanded to move
to any of its 16 positions along its X axis to bring any of its 16
vertical channels into alignment with the extractor mechanism.
Buttons are also provided to select different speeds of movement.
For any selected motor, the values of a number of different,
parameters listed in the "Setting" column, are displayed for the
commanded movement of that motor, in either the "X axis" column or
the "Y axis" column.
[0143] FIG. 64 is an example of an image transmitted to the remote
server 201 from the video camera in a kiosk, in this case showing a
top view of the front side of the key blank magazine and the
adjacent mechanism for receiving an extracted blank. The video
image (FIG. 64) can be displayed side-by-side with the display of
FIG. 62 and/or 63 (either on the same display device or two
different devices) at a site remote from the kiosk being inspected,
while the operator examines and manipulates the mechanisms within
the kiosk. Thus, the operator can observe the operations resulting
from his or her manual commands, as well as the results of those
operations. This process can often fix the problem being addressed,
and, if not, can identify the specific task that needs to be
performed by a visit to the kiosk in question. Consequently, the
kiosk can be fixed on site by inexperienced personnel, e.g., the
same personnel who replenish the supply of key blanks, because the
central office personnel can tell the field personnel exactly what
needs to be done and what repair parts will be needed.
[0144] Examples of information automatically reported by each kiosk
200a-200n to the remote server 201 are "invalid keyways" detected
on master keys (which means such keys cannot be duplicated in the
kiosks), the insertion of master keys that are too long or too
short to be duplicated in the kiosks, detected misalignment of a
master key after clamping, credit card rejections, insertions of
credit cards that could not be read, etc. All this data is
analyzed, either in the server 201 or in the central office
computer, and reports of the results of these analyses are
generated and either distributed automatically or stored for
periodic reviews by authorized personnel. For example, one type of
report compares the data collected from any given kiosk with the
same type of data from other kiosks in a similar market or
geographical region, or even all the other kiosks in the network.
Another type of report compares the latest data from a given kiosk
with the historical averages of the same types of data from that
same kiosk, so that deviations from chronological trends can be
detected and analyzed, and alerts can be generated if the current
data falls outside an acceptable range.
[0145] For example, if a problem develops with the keyway
identification system in a given kiosk, causing that kiosk to
generate false rejections, the average percentage of master keys,
and thus customers, that are rejected will increase for that kiosk.
This increase will appear in the "health" reports for that kiosk,
which can then be inspected, virtually and/or physically.
[0146] The kiosks 200a-200n also conduct self tests and report the
results to the remote server 201. For example, after each order,
readings are taken from all the sensors and compared to
predetermined thresholds or ranges representing normal operation of
each sensor. If the reading taken from any sensor deviates from the
predetermined threshold or range, that sensor may not be
functioning, not functioning properly, or even have a design flaw.
Such a reading may also be indicative of malfunctioning hardware
associated with that sensor. Regular reporting of the results of
the automatic self tests enable early detection and correction of
such issues, thereby reducing the down time for all the networked
kiosks.
[0147] Another example of a self test is the automatic cycling of
moving parts in the kiosk at predetermined times to determine
whether those parts successfully move to known positions within a
specified time intervals. These self tests can indicate whether a
specific motor is moving, whether a specific part is moving,
whether specific movements occur within the specified time
intervals, whether specific sensors are functional, etc. If any of
the preselected criteria are not met in these self tests, the kiosk
automatically sends an alert to the remote server so that the part
in question can be quickly inspected and corrective action
taken.
[0148] After an error has been corrected, a remote user in the
central office may virtually run a test sequence to confirm that
the problem has indeed been rectified. The server also allows
troubleshooting of software-related issues, and can be used to
update the software in the kiosks. Promotions and advertisements
the customer sees on the kiosk display screen can also be updated
and controlled via the server 201.
[0149] Other communications sent by the kiosks to the server 201
include daily sales and transaction reports which contain a
compilation of sales and transaction data, including the total
number of transactions and the corresponding dollar amount, for the
day. These reports also help maintain the key blank inventory. If a
key blank magazine, or certain compartments of a magazine, are
reported as being depleted or low on stock, the webcam may be used
to confirm the stock level and updates can then be made
accordingly. The central server 201 can also monitor and correlate
data from each kiosk with data from other sources, such as reports
from the facilities in which the kiosks are located and historical
records maintained for each kiosk. For example, returns of
duplicate keys made by the kiosks are handled by customer calls to
a toll-free number, and the server 201 maintains a rate-of-return
record for each individual kiosk and for different groups of
kiosks, e.g., by retail organization and/or by geographical region.
An increase in the rate-of-return for a particular kiosk by more
than a certain amount above the average for all kiosks indicates
that a problem might exist for that particular kiosk and,
therefore, it should be inspected. Another example is comparing the
rate of rejection of customers, based on the insertion of keys
having unsupported keyways, by a particular kiosk compared with
other kiosks located in similar markets or stores. The maintenance
record of each kiosk may also be periodically compared with other
kiosks of similar age and usage rates. The results of these and
other analyses can be used to identify issues before they become
serious and before they have a significant effect on sales and/or
relationships with store personnel.
[0150] A "log file" is preferably maintained for the entire history
of each individual kiosk, and this historical log file may be
consulted at any time to determine whether the kiosk has a history
of experiencing a particular problem. For example, if a given kiosk
experiences master key alignment problems, the remote operator may
check the log file for that kiosk to determine whether it has a
history of master key alignment problems and, if it does, to
arrange for corrective action to be taken.
[0151] Kiosks of the type described above are capable of providing
return rates of less than 1%, and the time required to produce a
single duplicate of a master key is less than about 70 seconds. The
remote communication system permits these and other performance
parameters to be continuously monitored, so that any deviation can
be promptly detected, and corrective actions can also be taken
promptly. Mis-cut returns for each kiosk can be monitored in near
real time by matching the customer making a return to the time,
date and location of the kiosk used to make the returned key, and
building a mis-cut timeline for each kiosk. Field personnel can
also be provided with special master keys that are used to make
duplicate keys that are returned to the central office for
measurement and analysis for any corrective action that might be
needed.
[0152] The remote communication system can minimize down time for
all deployed kiosks by monitoring alert signals generated
automatically by each kiosk when a questionable condition is
detected. These signals can be investigated immediately by central
office personnel who can take the necessary corrective action to
ensure that a kiosk that sent an alert does not go down, or to
promptly restore that kiosk to normal operation. This
central-office monitoring and remote fixing reduces reaction time
and also provides more consistent and accurate maintenance by field
personnel with more limited experience on many issues that arise in
maintaining a kiosk, as compared with highly trained personnel in
the central office. Central remote fixing allows experts located at
the central office to obtain a large amount of detailed information
about any given kiosk in a large network, and to use the webcam to
quickly identify a problem while a field technician is dispatched
to the machine. When the technician arrives on scene, the central
office can send visual and audio demonstrations to the kiosk
display to remotely guide the technician in efficiently resolving
the problem. Central monitoring is also more effective in dealing
with a problem, such as a bad lot of key blanks, that originates
from a single source but results in problems distributed over a
number of different kiosks.
[0153] If an alert signal relates to a problem caused by the
customer, a dialog can be initiated between the customer and an
operator at the remote central computer. This dialog is initiated
by displaying a message from the remote computer in a chat box on
the display of the kiosk, along with a virtual keyboard so that the
customer can respond. For example, if a customer neglects to remove
his or her key from the kiosk after a transaction has been
completed, an alert is sent to the central office computer at the
expiration of a preselected time interval following the dispensing
of a duplicate key. An operator at the central office can then
cause the chat box to be displayed on the kiosk screen and send the
customer a message asking if there is a problem in removing the
customer's key from the kiosk. The customer can respond using the
virtual keyboard displayed on the kiosk below the chat box, and the
ensuing exchange of messages can result in removal of the
customer's key from the kiosk.
[0154] While particular embodiments and applications of the present
invention have been illustrated and described, it is to be
understood that the invention is not limited to the precise
construction and compositions disclosed herein and that various
modifications, changes, and variations may be apparent from the
foregoing descriptions without departing from the spirit and scope
of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example,
the master key inserted by the customer could be analyzed and
matched to an original code that is then used to control the
cutting of the duplicate key(s), rather than using the master key
as a real-time pattern for cutting the duplicate. In this case, the
remote communication system could be used to pre-order the cutting
of a duplicate key using a code identified by the customer. Another
alternative is to add a printing station to create different styles
of keys in the key, to avoid the need to store different styles of
blanks for the same type.
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